Dresden eyes hiring to fix highway barn roof

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Highway superintendent Rick Hobus informed the Dresden Town Board at its March 14 meeting that he had contacted some businesses to discuss a new roof for the highway barn.

Hobus said Rick Parker and Will Stafford were called, and he is waiting for Scott Fontaine to stop by and give a quote. He said he hasn’t heard from Mike Doran or Josh Markie. He said some of those with whom he spoke said applying spray foam might be the best option.

“I contacted a bunch of spray foam companies, and one was from Essex County, and I left a message. Northeast Spray Foam out of Warrensburg and we were supposed to get called back to make an appointment,” he said.

Spray foam, according to Hobus, was recommended by most of the roofing businesses. He said he contacted a business in Chester, Vermont.

“I spoke with a woman from Vermont Foam Insulation, and she said they do travel this far and have done work in Huletts Landing before as well as Bomoseen so they are familiar with the area,” he said. “Her recommendation – not to exclude getting work done from them – but we would need to pay three people the travel time.”

Because of the travel, it was estimated to cost $30,000 if the board chose Vermont Foam Insulation. With the recent increase in gas prices across the nation, Hobus stressed it would probably be better to go with a local business. He plans to bring another update on the roof at the next meeting.

“I also reached out to Air-Tite Insulation Systems out of Glens Falls and they are supposed to have someone stop by at the beginning of this week and they have also done work in Huletts Landing and sounded like the guy to go to,” he said.

Another topic of discussion for Hobus was the state Shared Services Initiative, which generates property tax savings by enabling collaboration between local governments. Hobus said Fort Ann utilizes the initiative.

“We’ve been looking at the Cannon House as a potential place for a new municipal building, it’s my own opinion that we should work with the state Shared Services Initiative. They work with structures like that, and Washington County right now has a $37,500 grant,” Hobus said.

Hobus said he believes this is a service that could be implemented in Dresden.

“The structure in Fort Ann will house the town DPW, a village truck and it’s going to be on Route 149 right behind the structure that is there now with a breaking ground date of this spring,” he said.

Hobus said the program can provide many funds to help with the project a town is looking to complete. Once the project breaks ground, the state could fund $200,000 to $1 million for a town’s project.

“With the implementation of the structure there’s anywhere from $12,500 to $100,000 so there’s money to be sought after,” he said.

Hobus said an additional barn would be able to house more plow trucks for better response times in large snowstorms. The board plans to look further into the program with all the information that Hobus presented.